Charles Ellicott Commentary Colossians 1:23

"if so be that ye continue in the faith, grounded and stedfast, and not moved away from the hope of the gospel which ye heard, which was preached in all creation under heaven; whereof I Paul was made a minister." — Colossians 1:23 (ASV)

If.—The word, as in Ephesians 3:2; Ephesians 4:21 (where see Notes), conveys an assumption that is not truly hypothetical—“If, as I presume;” “If, as I trust.” St. Paul cannot refrain from needful warning, but he refuses to anticipate failure.

Grounded.—Built on the foundation. Compare Ephesians 2:20, built on the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief corner-stone.

Settled.—The result of being so grounded. The word is used in the same sense, but without metaphorical association, in 1 Corinthians 15:58, stedfast, unmoveable, as here settled and not being moved.

The hope.—See Note on Colossians 1:5. Here, as there, great emphasis is laid on hope. But here there may possibly be reference to some ideas (like those spoken of in 2 Timothy 2:18) that the resurrection was past already, and that the hope of a true resurrection and a real heaven was either a delusion or a metaphor.

Every creature which is under heaven.—Compare our Lord’s command, Preach the gospel to every creature (Mark 16:15). In idea and capacity the gospel is literally universal; although in actual reality such universality can only be claimed by a natural hyperbole.